On 23 March 2018, 24 tradesmen and women graduated from the 12-month Builders Enterprise Development (ED) Programme at The Forum, Newtown, Johannesburg. The graduation was hosted by the charismatic entrepreneur TT Mbha founder of Black Real Estate.

The Builders ED Programme aims to improve informal local tradesmen businesses by imparting industry focused skills and knowledge in financial management, marketing, customer service which puts their businesses in the right direction for growth.

The first six months of the programme focused on training in basic business management and technical skills in the respective trades such as building, painting, plumbing and tiling. The next six months will be dedicated to implementation and evaluation.

Graduates are chosen from communities in Gauteng where Builders has a presence: Alexandra, Thembisa, Cosmo City, Evaton, Protea Glen, Sebokeng and Vosloorus.

Twenty-four tradesmen and women graduated with a Certificate of Completion for Level Three (Construction SETA) Business Training Programme. As part of development, each beneficiary was helped with formal registration of their business with CIPC, company branding and material (i.e. flyers and business cards), smartphones, new overall set as well as Builders building material and tools to the value R40 000.

Petunia Fantisi, a Builder from Evaton said: “The Builders ED Programme, in association with Black Suppliers has empowered me in the following critical areas of business: financial management, marketing, customer service and negotiation skills. Through the programme I was able to legitimize my business by registering my company.”

After graduation, the programme beneficiaries will embark on five months of mentoring and coaching. This will take in a form of sessions with each beneficiary to ensure that they can apply what they have learned to their businesses. Furthermore, graduates are introduced to larger construction companies where they can undertake larger jobs as sub-contractors in their communities.

The Builders Enterprise Development continues to seek tradesmen and women with the ambition to increase their skills and grow in their trade. The next recruitment starts on 1 April 2018 details will be available at your nearest Builders Superstore.